Sneak Attacks

[Tuchok]

As we all know, Rogues, the Unfettered, a score of alternative publication classes and a motley crew of Prestige Classes all have the ability to use a sneak attack when they flank their opponent or the oppenent is denied its Dex Bonus.

However, there is no rule (to my knowledge) that indicates what kind of weapon can be used to sneak attack. Being a veteran gamer of over 20 years ( egads, has it been that long?), my memory harkens back to the old sneak attack rules in 1st and 2nd edition that limited the Thief's (thats right, I said it...THIEF), ability to "backstab" (old style sneak attacks for those not in the know) to a select few weapons that were "appropriate" for this underhanded ability.

It appears that under the new rules, a Rogue can sneak attack with a GREAT SWORD (as one of my players is arguing). Thats 16 lbs of steel. That doesn't seem very sneaky to me. Anybody back me up on this? Does anybody know of any rule clarifications that distinguish which weapons can be used?

Thanks for your help,
I am TUCHOK

 

[Kirin'Tor]

Any melee weapon, and any ranged weapon within 30feet, can be used for a sneak attack.

Don't think of it just as being sneaky with the weapon, it's also about catching the guy off-guard.
If I step out from around a corner & attack you while you're eating a hoagie, it's doesn't matter if I've got a frying pan, a great sword, a dagger, or a shot-gun...any one of them to the face\neck\mid-chest it gunna do you in!

 

[UltimaGabe]

Weapon doesn't make a difference, neither does mode of attack. You could be riding the back of a great wyrm dragon wielding a garguantuan warhammer and still get sneak attack, assuming A) you met the conditions for Sneak Attack (that is, your target was denied their dexterity bonus and/or you were flanking your target), B) your target is susceptible to Sneak Attack, and C) you were able to wield a garguantuan warhammer and ride a great wyrm dragon.

In other words, weapon doesn't matter. A lot of people use it for flavor, but as long as your target is denied their dex bonus, you can sneak attack.

 

[Hypersmurf]

It appears that under the new rules, a Rogue can sneak attack with a GREAT SWORD (as one of my players is arguing).

While Raging, even, if he also has Barbarian levels.

"OI!" the Rogue/Barbarian yelled, shaking his Flaming Greatsword in the Blackguard's face. "See my buddy standing behind you? We're flanking! That means I'm about to sneak attack you, and there's NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT!"

-Hyp.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

Any melee weapon, and any ranged weapon within 30feet, can be used for a sneak attack.

"Let me get this straight ... you're backstabbing with a ballista?!"


Jeff

 

[Deset Gled]

Hyp, you just gave me a new away message.

 

[Saeviomagy]

As we all know, Rogues, the Unfettered, a score of alternative publication classes and a motley crew of Prestige Classes all have the ability to use a sneak attack when they flank their opponent or the oppenent is denied its Dex Bonus.

However, there is no rule (to my knowledge) that indicates what kind of weapon can be used to sneak attack. Being a veteran gamer of over 20 years ( egads, has it been that long?), my memory harkens back to the old sneak attack rules in 1st and 2nd edition that limited the Thief's (thats right, I said it...THIEF), ability to "backstab" (old style sneak attacks for those not in the know) to a select few weapons that were "appropriate" for this underhanded ability.

It appears that under the new rules, a Rogue can sneak attack with a GREAT SWORD (as one of my players is arguing). Thats 16 lbs of steel. That doesn't seem very sneaky to me. Anybody back me up on this? Does anybody know of any rule clarifications that distinguish which weapons can be used?

Thanks for your help,
I am TUCHOK

Actually, I believe that this was always possible for characters who could actually use such a weapon and still had access to backstab, until someone changed it because it didn't suit their particular vision.

Frankly - I don't see a problem. Unless you dangle bells from it, a greataxe isn't going to be that much less sneaky than a dagger anyway...

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

"Let me get this straight ... you're backstabbing with a ballista?!"

Well, the rules don't say you can't ...

Best. Line. Evar.

Also:

"I'm gonna steal his pants."

and

"Aren't you forgetting your horrible and irrational fear of water?"

 

[dcollins]

Being a veteran gamer of over 20 years ( egads, has it been that long?), my memory harkens back to the old sneak attack rules in 1st and 2nd edition that limited the Thief's (thats right, I said it...THIEF), ability to "backstab" (old style sneak attacks for those not in the know) to a select few weapons that were "appropriate" for this underhanded ability.

I'm going to basically disagree with that. The AD&D 1st Ed. PHB (p. 27) says this:

Back stabbing is the striking of a blow from behind, be it with club, dagger, or sword.

This apparently gives the limitation you're thinking of. However, that short list is actually all of the melee weapons permitted to Thieves in AD&D. (See PHB p. 19). That is, it's actually saying that any weapon a Thief could ever gain proficiency in, they can backstab with.

The change that you're really confronting here is that in 3rd Ed. Rogues have a much wider range of weapon proficiencies, and can in fact ultimately become proficient with any melee weapon.

 

[Elephant]

I'm going to basically disagree with that. The AD&D 1st Ed. PHB (p. 27) says this:

You're forgetting that AD&D 1st Ed. isn't the original ruleset.